This is my story on how I chose the wonderful profession of nursing. My decision to pursue nursing took a bachelor's degree in another field and life and work experience to solidify my career choice. I am very excited for the journey ahead!
I have about five minutes left in my shift for the day as an operating room attendant but I will not be clocking out once the clock strikes 6:00pm. Instead, I am still on the medical surgical floor of the hospital waiting to transport a patient down to surgery.
This assignment started off as usual, a coworker and myself made our way up the elevator to the specified floor, received the patient's chart from the nurse and introduced ourselves to the patient. The only difference between this patient and the others I had previously encountered during my internship with the hospital so far is that the patient is now refusing to go through with the procedure. Undergoing surgery is usually not a tranquil experience, especially knowing after you wake up from the anesthesia both of your legs will no longer be there. I learned that the patient has refused twice before, and that this final refusal could cost the patient's life.
After introducing myself and learning that the patient is not having the surgery, I make my way to the hallway to let the nurse know the patient's decision. Before the nurse arrives so I can relay the message, I am called back into the room by one of the medical assistants who states that the patient wants to talk with me.
I am asked a simple question, "should I do this?" and after 30 minutes of encouragement I am heading back down the elevator with the patient to the operating room who went through with the surgery and is now able to experience life once again.
Before this experience I knew I would find myself in some aspect of healthcare, but the specific field wasn't made certain until then. At that moment I knew I not only wanted to be able to encourage others to make healthy decisions, I wanted to understand the inner workings of their health issues and be instrumental in their treatment and recovery. Nurses are healthcare providers that excel in this area and I would like to excel in providing care as well.
My fascination with life and the body has been fueled by the college classes I took which eventually led to a bachelors of science in biology but the interaction with patients during my internship solidified my desire to be a nurse. Becoming a nurse is a wonderful way to utilize the science of life and my passion for the betterment of people. I admire the special relationships nurses are able to build with their patients which leads to more trust from the patients and ultimately a higher quality of care.
Ever since I set my heart on the nursing profession, I have found ways to gain more insight into the career and work my way toward nursing school. About a week and a half after my internship at the hospital, I was accepted into a certified nurse aide program and trained for five weeks to obtain certification in the state of Tennessee.
During my training as a nurse aide I learned how to properly obtain patients' vitals, correctly chart patient input and output, assist with activities of daily living, and look for changes in the conditions of patients. Upon completion of the nurse aide course I was hired by the training facility and for 8 months have been working in the memory care unit. I have gained invaluable experience from this job from working with eight to nine patients at a time, practicing time management, using teamwork with the nurses and other healthcare providers, and ensuring optimal care to all my patients and their families.
Through all the experience I have gained and time spent with other nurses, my passion to become a nurse continues to be cultivated. I hope to one day have the unique opportunity to bring about healing and wholeness to others.
I knew I wanted to "help people" since I came out the womb, but the icing on the cake came when I gave birth to my daughter, & without any "family" or "friends", there I layed in the hospital bed with the nicest nurse I'll never forget, holding my hand & being there for me throughout all 30 hours ( yes, 30.) In the most professional, compassionate, non judgmental, confident, & knowledgeable way. I decided that that's how i would make other people feel doing the same job. However, it will not be in OB ( hats off to all who do it ) but somewhere else in the profession.
I chose nursing because a Masters in Nursing - Psych can perform the exact same treatments as a Masters in Psychology, and earn nearly twice the pay (not to mention prescribing). Also I found that my psychology training alone was leaving me with a huge knowledge deficit in regards to the patient's overall health. And I was tired of seeing so many things happening with the patients firsthand, and feeling powerless to help because I just didn't have the education and credentials. I chose to switch majors from Mental Health, after nearly 70 credits, and switch careers from mental health tech to nursing assistant while I'm in school. I thought it over for several years, and I'm positive that I've made the right choice.
Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.
I am not sure anymore.
I remember I needed emergency surgery and being in the hospital. There were nice nurses who I felt helped me get better and those who made me feel bad. I thought, oh, I'd like to be one of the good ones. I had no idea what I was talking/thinking about, of course. No idea what nurses actually go through and have to do in a shift. So, I guess I would have said back then that I wanted to help people.
However, looking at it now, I think I went into nursing because of the improvement in status I believed it would give me. In addition, and just as importantly, it would give me a means of earning a decent living should I ever end up by myself or in a bind somehow. It seemed like a profession I would be proud to be a part of...and that turned out to be true, regardless of the hardships it has caused me along the way. I also had a need to prove to others that I was not a useless piece of garbage, that I could accomplish something good. I know now that no one thought I was useless. It was me that I needed to prove something to.
Anyway...if I had to do it all over again, I don't know if I would. I'm a nurse now and don't plan on changing that. But if I had it to do again, I would probably choose physical therapy or something of that nature. Still, I'm proud to be a nurse.
Specializes in ventilaters, thraches, wound care, skill.
I chose nursing for several reasons. 1)my famiy is prodomatly nurses and military. 2)I asked my Aunt on het death bed in her dying moments about becoming one 3) the joy of caring for those who are in need, the fighting of for my patients for better care, better medical needs. I did not choose it for the money I chose it for my Aunt and every other person who is sick or unable to care for themselves. I've bucked heads with managment for my patients, I have bucked heads with doctors for better medical treatment, I've bucked heads with corparate for better care in Nursing Home. I've cried with families as they were at bedside as they were passing away, I've held those whose families were unable to see them die, I've been beat up, spit on, cursed out, but the love of the profession, the feeling of knowing I am fighting for them and the families. That passion has lead to 22yrs of being a fighter for the sick and needy. I honor my Aunts dying words, "we need you to help us feel loved and cared for".
Making career choices are major life decisions. I want to ask what has drawn you to nursing. Why did you choose nursing? What kept you through nursing school?
I took two years of nursing in high school and had a teacher that was an RN and loved it. My mother was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension in 2005 and passed in 2012. She spent many many days in a very respectable hospital in my state. I watched the nurses there learn her by name, how many blankets she loved to have, how warm/cold the room needed to be, and many other things. I always wanted to be that type of nurse that goes the extra mile to make their patient comfortable. My mother always bragged on her nursing staff and wanted me to work there once I graduated.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I have no heartwarming story to tell. I was not inspired to become a nurse. Nursing has never been a childhood dream or higher calling for me.
I chose nursing for the quick entry, steady middle income, career mobility, educational advancement opportunities, and flexible scheduling. Basically, I was drawn to the nursing profession because it offered a streamlined route into middle class society.
bgxyrnf, MSN, RN
1,208 Posts
I chose this field because it provides a solid union job with good pay and benefits and outstanding job security.